Used points to get a few free days here before our Airbnb in another city. Looked great from the pictures so we figured why not save.
Depending on what you're looking for and your taste, you might like this place. Unfortunately we didn't.
The good:
Cleaners are pleasant and good.
Reception is helpful and on point.
Hotel is a five minute walk to the beach.
Has a pharmacy and small store on site for toiletries or other needs.
Offers Pool and slides, mini golf, and craft activities for kids.
The not so good:
Two small elevators only and one was down for pretty much half our trip. You will inevitably be waiting for an elevator and have to take the stairs.
The rooms are average and had some definite signs of wear.
The unit, on one occasion, smelled terribly when we returned from the beach. Smell eventually went away. On another occasion the toilet had brown soiling at the bottom (feces? Rust?) whatever it was it wasn't us. Thankfully this last bit happened the morning we left.
It is pandemonium at the hotel right when you check in through to check out. So many people everywhere. Families and kids running wild and without much order or decency. I prefer a calmer setting.
They offer a free breakfast buffet at el apron, the restaurant inside the hotel. It is a lot of food but it's poor quality food. Yes you will gorge yourself, but you're in Spain and there is so much more out there for just a few euros, like decent tasting coffee. Tip: get to breakfast early at 8. Around 10 it is a mess and fight wading your way through so many people gorging themselves. Think OZ.
The tapas bar connected to the hotel - where you get tickets to try free tapas and beer, is quite bad. It is self service which you wouldn't know until a waiter at the restaurant comes to tell you. I'm surprised by how bad the tapas were. You'd figure they'd wow you so you would actually want to eat there for dinner. A lost opportunity for the restaurant to get business, in my opinion.
The beach is a short walk away. But it is crowded with the same people at the hotel - and more. Super busy. No room to enjoy. Debris and garbage everywhere.
Tips:
If you care about quality and can afford it, skip the buffet breakfast. An awesome churreria is only a ten minute walk away. He's a street vendor. Find him. It is excellent. Go early. There's always a line.
There is a beautiful beach a few minutes' drive away - far better than the beach by the hotel. You pay for parking (minimal) but there is more space and the beach is incredible. The water quality is better as well (denoted by the blue flag).
They have photographers on site not connected to the hotel but definitely in the hotel that do pictures and sell them to you for exorbitant amounts. You will be suckered into buying. It's nice if you want a memory of the trip.
I was so thrilled to get to the Airbnb by the end of our stay. I can't say we would return to this hotel. I can see how it might fit other people's needs and they'd give it five stars. It just wasn't for us. read more